Immigration . . . Get Back on Track!

It is this writer's belief that the whole immigration issue has long gone off track. Perhaps it's political naivete or simplemindedness, but suffering illegal activity seems dissonant with our constitutional republic. Yet, massive protests have erupted in the name of illegal immigrants, and now a national boycott by these immigrants is being planned for May 1st.

Many activists are promoting this boycott in the name of amnesty. When one considers the number of people waiting to immigrate to our fine land legally, it seems that amnesty would violate the qualities of fairness and justice.

Some would argue that the "illegals" are merely trying to improve their standard of living or provide a better life for their families. While this is certainly noble, breaking the immigration law of our nation to do so invalidates their honorable cause. Someone wisely said, "It is never right to do wrong in order to get the chance to do right."

It is time for our lawmakers to exercise justice, tempered with mercy.

• Enforcing existing immigration laws is Step One. Rather than photo op enforcement, apply the law equitably and justly.
• Nail the businesses that employ illegal immigrants. Provide them with the tools necessary for enforcement and make them accountable for compliance.
• Provide an opportunity for illegal immigrants to leave and make request for legal entry. Those who chose not to leave must be held to account for their unwillingness to comply with our laws. If there is a legitimate reason for their inability to return to their homeland, provide a process for evaluating their mitigating circumstances.
• Secure the borders! Use our military to enforce the borders. Build the necessary structures to prevent illegal penetration. Install the latest technology to assist our military in the process of detecting and apprehending illegal perpetrators.
• Establish a guest worker program that will enable those with economic needs to fulfill their responsibility to provide for their families and loved ones. Make the enforcement simple by issuing a tamper-proof card that MUST be presented to any United State employer before being placed on the payroll.

There is no doubt that we are indeed a nation of immigrants. Ours is a respected tradition of welcoming many from other lands. Emma Lazarus best stated the goodness of our nation when she penned, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore; Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door" (The New Colossus, November 2, 1883).

Any of the above listed categories are welcome in these United States. We merely ask that they honor our laws and traditions. Let's bring common sense to the table! Stop the political squabbling and, above all, stop worrying about who is going to control the next Congress. Let's do the business of the people because it is right, not merely expedient.

Thanks for reading. Always make a difference!

Worth Pondering!

"I have lived for a long time 81 years; and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings, that "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall proceed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel: we shall be divided by our little, partial, local interests; our prospects will be confounded; and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a byword down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter, from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing government by human wisdom, and leave it to chance, war, or conquest. I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers, imploring the assistance of Heaven and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business; and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service."

--Benjamin Franklin: Speech in Convention for forming a Constitution for the United States, 1787.